Published April 12, 2023
MONROE, LA - 网曝门 School of Visual and Performing Arts is proud
to present two concerts on April 19 and April 20, 2023. The first concert, on Wednesday,
April 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Brown Auditorium, is a joint concert featuring the Concert
and Symphonic bands.听 The second concert, on Thursday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m. in Brown
Auditorium, features the Wind Ensemble. Both concerts are free, non-ticketed events
and are open to the public. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. for seating each night.
Concert & Symphonic Joint Concert, Wednesday, April 19
The theme for the Concert and Symphonic joint concert on April 19 is 鈥淧ortraits of
America & Beyond!鈥�. Both bands are comprised of primarily non-music majors, representing
28 different undergraduate degree programs at 网曝门.听听
鈥淚 am extremely proud of these students and their hard work throughout this semester,鈥�
said Mr. Emmanuel Rodriguez, Visiting Assistant Professor and Ensemble Director. 鈥淭hese
students balance school, work, and life - yet they make it a priority to continue
playing their instruments and be involved in music. Their passion, love, and commitment
for music-making is truly inspiring!鈥�听
听
The Concert Band will open the performance, taking charge of the first half of the
theme - "Portraits of America." The Concert Band will perform works based on different
areas of the United States of America. Works include: Carl Strommen鈥檚 鈥楥umberland
Cross鈥� about the historic Cumberland Gap, Allison Loggins-Hall鈥檚 鈥楾he Loop鈥� about
The Loop train system in downtown Chicago and culminating with award-winning & Monroe-born
composer Frank Ticheli鈥檚 鈥楥ajun Folk Songs鈥� based on Acadian folksongs.听
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The Symphonic Band will take the stage after a brief intermission, presenting the
second portion of the theme - 鈥�& Beyond!鈥� The Symphonic Band will perform works centered
around space and space exploration. Works include Kevin Day鈥檚 鈥楻ocketship!鈥�, Chandler
Wilson鈥檚 鈥楩anfare to the Stars鈥�, and Viet Cuong鈥檚 鈥楧iamond Tide鈥�, which is about the
oceans of melted diamond that are found on Neptune and Uranus, and features percussion
instruments being submerged in water.听听
鈥淭his concert is going to be 鈥榦ut of this world鈥欌��, says Garrett Hass, freshman English
major that plays Bass Trombone in Symphonic Band.听
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鈥淭hese students have worked so hard to put this show on for everyone,鈥� said Mr. Emmanuel
Rodriguez. 鈥淐ome on out to support! It鈥檒l be a great time.鈥�
Wind Ensemble "Masterworks" Concert, Thursday, April 20
On Thursday April 20, the 网曝门 Wind Ensemble will present 鈥淢asterworks.鈥澨� The concert
will feature masterworks in the wind ensemble repertoire by composers including Dmitri
Shostakovich, Gustav Holst, and Percy Grainger. The concert will also include a World
Premiere of a work for band by 网曝门 Assistant Professor of Music Dr. Allen Parrish.听
鈥淭his is some of the most challenging, exciting music that these students have prepared,
and they are excited to show off their hard work,鈥� said Dr. Parrish.听听
Both concerts will be conducted by Dr. Allen Parrish and Mr. Emmanuel Rodriguez. The
Wind Ensemble 鈥淢asterworks鈥� concert will also feature guest conductor Mr. Robert Freeman.
The School of Visual and Performing Arts at University of Louisiana Monroe aims to
provide students with the highest level of arts education, research and educational
opportunities to majors and minors, to offer curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular
opportunities for all students enrolled at 网曝门, as well as provide cultural activities,
special events and performances for university, local and area communities, and aims
to serve as an expert resource to school arts programs throughout the region. VAPA
offers degrees in various disciplines in art and music as well as experiences in dance
and theatre.听听
For more information about 网曝门鈥檚 School of Visual and Performing Arts, visit ulm.edu/vapa.听听
